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The Indian men’s football team face Hong Kong in their second group game of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier after a goalless draw against Bangladesh in the opener.
Subhasish Bose (AIFF Media)
The Indian men’s football team was held to a painful goalless draw by Bangladesh in their opening Group C AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier third round match in Shillong back in March. Manolo Marquez appeared visibly frustrated and angry after the game.
The team reassembled for their next encounter, first against Thailand in a friendly in Pathum Thani on June 4 before the all-important second group game against Hong Kong in Kowloon City on June 10, at the AIFF National Center of Excellence in Kolkata on May 19.
The first day’s training saw 26 out of the 28 probables called up by the head coach. Defender Rahul Bheke, who became a father recently, will be joining his teammates on May 23, while Midfielder Ashique Kuruniyan is suffering from illness and will join training on May 21. The Blue Tigers depart for Thailand on May 28.
Subhasish Bose, recently adjudged the best Indian men’s footballer for the season past, said the talk from the head coach has been straight and simple – not repeat mistakes.
“The coach is discussing the mistakes we have made and is showing us what to play and what not to play. We are practising accordingly,” Subhasish told the media before training on Tuesday.
When asked to elaborate, he added: “Small mistakes, things that we want to change from not only the Bangladesh match but Vietnam, Malaysia as well. We have to take the field keeping in mind to try and not repeat those small mistakes that we ended up making as a team, then we can produce better results.”
The left-back, who has six goals to his name as he led Mohun Bagan to the Indian Super League league and shield double, is optimistic about the upcoming matches, despite recent poor results.
“I don’t think every match is equal, and every player has ups and downs. But at the end, if we can work together and play as a team, then we can get a clean sheet and also a goal,” Subhasish said.
“We have a lot of talented strikers and midfielders who can provide us with goals. Sunil Bhai (Chhetri) has rejoined us, and I hope we can score goals in the next two matches,” he added.
Asked about his stellar season with his club domestically, Subhasish Bose feels the playing for the national team will bring out the best in not only him but from the rest of his teammates, irrespective of their form in the run-up.
“I feel that if everyone plays with the same mentality and attitude, one can adapt and play the way our coach wants,” Subhasish said.
India, the Pot 1 side in the group, would fancy their chances of making it to the quadrennial continental showpiece in Saudi Arabia, as all teams have one point to their name so far.
Given the uncertainty over head coach Manolo Marquez’s future, as the Spaniard reportedly wants out after the next game, the onus will be on the players to step up and deliver for the country.
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